Really, really enjoyed this one. It's one that I bought a long, long while ago, close to the release, always remained in my next-to-read list but I neReally, really enjoyed this one. It's one that I bought a long, long while ago, close to the release, always remained in my next-to-read list but I never got around to it for whatever reason. So glad I finally did. I'm rating it 4 stars but it's one I can see re-reading and adjusting up because it may seem more and more like a 5 star the more I think about it.

The biggest thing that made this 4 stars not 5 was that it was written in third person and that took some getting used to and it felt like it wasn't the best choice. But the story itself was great. Absolutely love Jayden and even though I wanted Ryan to get out of his own way, I loved him too. I typically find a character like Ryan annoying, letting things drag on too long. But not this time, maybe because this was a novella, it wasn't so bad and it felt like he got his ish together but it didn't take forever to get to that part of the book, thank goodness. The chemistry between Jayden and Ryan was just amazing and thank goodness Jayden stuck with him despite having a less complicated option. I loved Frankie and Olivia as well. Just an all around enjoyable read.

Now that I've finished it, the only thing truly disappointing is that there's not a second book to catch up with the characters, visit with Jayden and Ryan in their new house with their two dogs, running the theater, Olivia's dance studio and selling his artwork....more

4.5 Stars. Very little to complain about here, just a lot to like. I'm usually more on the fence with one character over another, but here, I enjoyed4.5 Stars. Very little to complain about here, just a lot to like. I'm usually more on the fence with one character over another, but here, I enjoyed both of them a lot. Liked David's friends a lot as well, the friendship was great, the chemistry building between them was amazing. The shifting point of views can be difficult to pull off but worked well here.

I think the only things that sort of confused me but not enough to affect me liking the book, were being friends for 5 years with someone enough to call them your best friend and not telling them you're gay was never addressed especially since he was fairly out. Although I liked the easy acceptance, it seemed that was to be expected with who Trace was and how he acted. Unless I was reading really fast and missed it, I don't remember Trace asking David why he waited so long to tell him. And to that end, the title of this book confused me a bit. If David didn't tell Trace he was gay for fear of losing him, maybe he would be afraid that Trace would turn into "the one who got away", but that wasn't said or even really implied as a reason for the delay and an explanation for the title. Instead the phrase was used at the end not really related to Trace and David, which I found a bit odd.

The title made it seem like there would be some separation or a period of past friendship to current friends and then lovers or something. Again, hardly the end of the world, but something I found a bit confusing and I definitely went into the book with a slightly different impression because of the title.

I really enjoyed this book, even loved a lot of it, a definite one to recommend. Any problems I had with it were very minute and nothing that should affect someone reading it. It's sweet and touching but also light and fun at times....more